Floor outlet



June 24, 1930. E, A. STAPLES V 1,767,323' I FLOOR OUTLET Filed may 22.4 1929 I l I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I -I Patented June 24, 1930 PATENT OFFICE EUGENE n. STAPLES, or BROOKLYN, NEWk YORK FLOOR onrnnr application filed May 2a, 192e. semaine. tratase.y

My invention relates tof improvementsin electric conduits, and the same has for its object more particularlyto provide an outlet by means of which an apparatus, such as a telephone, telegraph instrument, light, fan, etc., may be readily connected with the electric conductors disposed in suchconduit.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an outlet having a member adapt-` ed to be secured in a plurality of positions therein to seal said outlet,`and serving, in one of said positions, as a guide for the branch conductors extending from the main conductors in, the conduit.

Further, said invention has for its obj ect to provide anoutlet to be securedri'na floor,

wall, or the like, having means serving sub-l stantiallyto seal said outletwhen the latter is in an operative or an inoperative condi# tion. l f l Further, said inventionhasfor its object to provide an outlet having a sealing memV ber which constitutes a structural lpart ofthe outlet to forma projecting guard for the branch conductors when the outlet is ad@ justed to its operative condition, and to form` a tight closure for the outlet when the latterl is adjusted toits inoperative condition. j

VFurther, said invention has for its Object to provide a floor outletv of the general type disclosed inmy'Patent No. 1,692,097, issued November 20, 1928, of a simplified formand one which--can be manufactured at a somewhat lower cost than theA specific embodiment ofthe invention illustrated inl said Letters Patent. U i

Further, `the invention has for its object to providea fioor outlet embodying a reversible tubular conduit member,` the `exposed end of whichfis closed by a removable cover,` theVIK cover andthe reversible member being so designed with relation one to the other that the versible member regardless of which'pend be:

the exposed end. 1

before referred to which is especially adapt-V ed for use inffloors having floor coverings as for example Aconcrete floors with linoleum floor coveri g. e Y

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an outlet that is particularly adaptedfornsewith floors having a Vlicor 55 covering, the 'outlet being provided V`with means serving the dual function ofillerfor the opening inthe floor covering and as a looking device for retaining the reversible member in either of its positions. 60 Y* Other objects will in partbe obvious, and in part be hereinafter pointed out;

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, my invention consists in the novel detailsof construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement'of parts hereinafter more fullyV described and then pointed out Vin the claims. u

In the'ac'companying drawings:

Figure 1 is a'perspective view of a iloor outlet embodying my present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating the invention with the re-k versible member in theclosed position.

Fig. 3is a `perspective view of the' floor outlet shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the re#- versible tubularl conduit member `in position ready for use.

Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the invention in position in a floor, the reversible member being' illustrated in theclosed position'in full lines and linl the ready-for-use `position in dottedy lines, the conduit pipe being also indicated.

In said drawings 10 Vdesignatesv the casing which may be of any convenienti form, 'preferably that shown, andwhich is provided at its lower end with ascrew-threaded portion 1,1 thatis adapted torece'ive aconduit12.

' The upper endof the casing 1Q is'provided with an externalshoulder 13 and upon its inner-side .it is' screw-threaded for a determined distance from the end, as'aty 14. .TheV casing 10 isi also provided'with ashoulder 21 at the Vbottom ofthe internally threaded portion 14, the purpose of which will presently Further, sald invention has `for 1ts`ob]ect to provide an outlet of the character hereinscrew-threadedportion 26 that is adaptedto 100 engage with the screw-threaded portion 14 of the casing. The reversible tubular conduit member is provided, at each end, with internal screw threads indicated by the reference numerals 16 and 18 respectively. At that end of the reversible tubular conduit member which is opposite to the externally threaded portion 14, the said member is provided with vertical recesses 17, the purpose of which will also presently appear.

19 designates a screw-threaded cover or top Which is designed to be screwed into either end of the reversible tubular conduit member in cooperation with the threaded portions 26 and 18 respectively, depending upon which end ofthe reversible tubular conduit member is uppermost.

The cover or top 19 is provided with a slot 2O for the application of a screw driver or other tool, whereby the same may be secured in position or removedfrom the reversible tubularconduit member 15 when desired.

When the conduit member 15 is screwed fully home, within the casing 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in full lines in Fig. 4, the end of the screw thread 26 lnearest the recessedv end of the reversible member will abut against the shoulder 21 formed on the inner side of the casing 1() and arrest the further downward movement of the member 15, thereby causing the end of the member 15 which is uppermost to project out of and above the upper edge of the shoulder 13. The projecting end of the threaded portion 26 of the conduit member 15 is adapted to receive the combined filler-plate and lock washer 22, which is provided with oppositely located apertures 23 for the reception of a spanner wrench whereby said plate may be rotated. The plate 22 serves the double purpose of a lock washer to hold the reversible tubular conduit member 15 securely in position, and also as a filler-plate to compensate for thethickness of the linoleum or other floor covering 24 disposed upon the floor 28 of the building. By this arrangement, when the parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in full lines in Fig. 4, the then upper end of the reversible tubular conduity member lies flush with the upper surface of the linoleum or floor covering 24 as does also the exposed face of the combined filler-plate and lock washer-22. Y Y

Whenlthe parts described are in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and in full lines in Fig. 4, theyare in what may be termed the inoperative orclosed positionthat is to say the device is not in use for-electrical purposes, and a perfectly water-tight closure is provided, which will prevent any water entering the conduit 12 when the floors are scrubbed.

When it is desired to connect the wires 27 that are disposed within the conduitv 12 with a telephone or telegraph key' or Vany other electrical device, the filler-plate 23 is removed, whereupon the reversible tubular conduit member 15 may be unscrewed from the casing 10 by means of a Spanner engaging the openings 25. The cover plate 19 is then removed from the end of the conduit member 15 having the threads 18, and the conduit member is reversed and threaded over the ends of the conductor wires 27 which are carried through the casing 10 and through the reversible member and extended over the ends thereof, whereupon the reversible member 15 is screwed into the casing 10, as indicated in Fig. 3, and in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and the ends of the conductor wires 27 are then passed through one or both of the slots 17 in the end of the member 15. Whereupon, the cover member 19 is screwed into place into the threaded end 16 of the member 15, thereby sealing the upper end of the conduit member 15, except for the two openings 17, through which the conductor wires 27 may extend.

When the outlet is used on buildings having floors which are covered with linoleum or other similar floor coverings, it will be seen that by reason of the engagement of the upper end of the conduit pipe 12 with the under surface of the flooring and the engagement of the combined lock washer and ller- 'plate 22 with the top surface of the floor, a

1. A device of the class described compris- 1 ing a casing having an opening at the top thereof and having a shoulder below the top, that portion of the casing above the shoulder being internally threaded, said casing at the bottom thereof having means to receive and hold a conduit, a reversible tubular conduit member having an externally threaded portion at' one end tting into the threaded'part of said casing and abutting said shoulder, and also having an internally threaded portion at the end which has the external threads', that end of the reversible member which is opposite to the end having the externally threaded portion being provided with an outlet for wires, and a removable cap screwed into said internally 'threadedportion A 2. A device of the class described comprising a casing having an opening at the top thereof and having a shoulder below the top, that portion of the casing above the shoulder being internally threaded, said casing-at the bottom thereof having means to receive and hold a conduit, a reversible tubular conduit memberhaving an externally threaded portion at, one end fitting into the threaded part of said casing and abutting said shoulder, the other end .of said reversible tubular conisc duit member having vertical recesses for Y nally threaded portion.

3. A device of the class described comprising a casing having an opening at the top thereof and having a shoulder below the top, that portion of the casing above the shoulder being internally threaded, said casing at the bottom thereof having means to receive and tion at the end which'has the Y a removable cap hold a conduit, a.reversible tubular conduit member having an externally threaded portion at one end fitting into the threaded part of said casing and abutting said shoulder, and also having an internally threaded porexternal threads,

screwed into said internally threaded portion, said externally threaded portion of saidreversible tubular conduit y member being of a'greater length than the* Y said reversible v threaded lconduit member being of a greater length depth of said internally threaded portion of said casing, that end of the reversible member which is opposite to the end having the externally threaded portion being provided with an outlet for wires, and a washer threaded onto said externally threaded por'- tion of said reversible tubular conduit member and engaging said casing.

4. A device of the class described comprising a casing having an opening at the top thereof and having a shoulder below the to that portion of the casing above the shoulder being internally threaded, said casing at the bottom thereof having means to receive and hold a conduit, a reversible tubular conduit member having an externally threaded-portion at one end fitting into the threaded ypart of said casing' and abutting said shoulder, the other end of said reversible tubular conduit member having vertical recesses for wires, tubular conduit member also having an internally threaded portion at the end having the external threads, a removable cap screwed into saidinternally threaded portion, said externally. portion of said reversible tubular than the depth of said internally threaded portion of said casing, and a washer threaded onto said externally threaded portion of said reversible tubular conduit member and engaging said casing. n Y

5. A device of the class described comprising a casing having an opening at the top thereof and having a shoulder below the top, that portion of the casing abovethe shoulder being internally threaded, said casing at the bottom thereof having means to receive and hold a conduit, a reversible tubular conduit member having an externally threaded. portion at one endV tting intothe Ythreaded part of said casing and abuttingv said shoulder, the other end of said reversible ycasingbemg set in said floor'with its tubular conduit member having vertical recesses for wires, said reversible tubular conyduit member Valso Vhaving an `internally tubular conduit member being of av greater length than the depth of ysaid internally threaded portion of said casing, and a washer threaded onto said externally threaded portion of said 'reversible tubular conduity memberand engaging saidcasing, said reversible tubular conduit member also having' its ire'- cessed endv internally threaded for the receptionof said cover, whereby said cover maybe -used `regardless of which`v end Vof said. reversible tubular conduitr `member .is uppermost; Y 1

6. In combination with a floor and aioor covering, adevice off-the character described comprising? 'a casing said casing being set kin said floor withits top end flush with the face of the floor and-having its lower end provided' with means for the attachment of a conduit, said casing having an internal shoulder spaced from its top end, a reversible tubular conduit `member having at one end a portion adapted to lit into and interlock with that portion of said casing whichlies between said shoulder and the top of the casing, said tting and interlockcasing, and a combined filler and lock washer secured on the projecting portion of said re- 'movable tubular conduit member and engaging thetop of said casing.

7. In combination with a floor and a floor having an open top,

ing portion projecting above the topof said` of said casing, anda combined ller and lock washer secured on the projecting portion of said removable tubular conduit member and engaging the top of saidcasing, said washer being of a thickness corresponding to the .izo

thickness of said floor covering whereby its f v top face will be liush covering. j

8. In combination with a floorl and a oor covering, a deviceof the character described comprising a casing 'having an open top, said end flush with the face of the floor and having its lower end provided with means for with that of the Hoor 105 casingbemg set in said floor with itstop the attachment of a conduit, said casing having an internal shoulder spaced from its top v end, a reversible tubularl conduit member having at one end a portion adapted to fit into andy interlock with that portion of said casing which liesv between said shoulder and the top of the casing, said fitting and interlocking portionprojectingl above the top of said casing, and a combined ller and lock washer securedv on the projecting portion of said removable tubular conduit member and engaging the top of said casing, said casing projecting below the floor, and' a conduit pipe into which the projecting portion of said casing is socketed and secured with the conduit member lying against the under surface of the floor while said combined filler and lock washer `lies' against the upper surface of the floor thereby to retain the device in place..

Signed at the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, this 25th day thousand` nine hundred and EUGENE A. STAPLES.

of April, one twenty-nine. 

